Where is THE CARIBBEAN? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

canarymoon · 11-20-2008, 11:24 AM

The Caribbean Sea, that is... where does it begin and end?

According to Webster's, the Caribbean Sea is

An arm of the Atlantic between Central and South America, and the West Indies, linked with the Pacific by the Panama Canal.

Other sources define it as being bordered by the Greater Antilles to the north, the Lesser Antilles to the east, South America to the south, and Central America to the west.

canarymoon · 11-20-2008, 11:25 AM

Source: Map of the Caribbean Sea

canarymoon · 11-20-2008, 11:27 AM

So, this means that when we sail to Nassau, or even to the Turks and Caicos, we are actually taking a Bahamas cruise, not a Caribbean cruise.

Char · 11-20-2008, 12:18 PM

It would appear that way. I suppose "Caribbean cruise" sounds more exotic than "Atlantic cruise".

When I think of the Atlantic I don't conjure up islands with palm trees swaying in the gentle breeze.

I suppose we are the victims of the advertising media! LOL!

Char · 11-20-2008, 12:27 PM

This is an interesting map....you can really see the circle of islands surrounding the Caribbean.
Map of Caribbean Sea (sea), Atlantic Ocean - World Atlas - MSN Encarta

nealberk · 11-20-2008, 11:08 PM

I generally do not think of Bermuda when I think of the Carribbean, but everything else qualifies. What always interested me is how close the Bahamas really are to Florida. I keep thinking of them as being much further away....

canarymoon · 11-21-2008, 09:07 AM

Yes, geographically, they are very close by. But psychologically, they're far away and apart.

nealberk · 11-22-2008, 11:41 AM

Okay, here is another map with a bit more detail. I still consider anything from the Bahamas down to South America part of the Caribbean due to general geography, cultures, and attitudes.

nealberk · 11-22-2008, 11:42 AM

In short, if it is an island an it is on this map, it is part of the Caribbean (note that Bermuda is not on the map- it just gets a pointer

seamus · 11-22-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canarymoon

So, this means that when we sail to Nassau, or even to the Turks and Caicos, we are actually taking a Bahamas cruise, not a Caribbean cruise.

Contrary to popular belief, The Bahamas isn't a part of the Caribbean, but lies entirely in the Atlantic Ocean, about 100 miles east of the Florida coast.